Homens do Deserto

Breezy Technicolor hokum from Burt Lancaster's second phase between his first few films as a tough guy and his later work as a serious actor as a grinning, thigh-slapping action hero leaping across the sceen as the fifties answer to Douglas Fairbanks; well matched by Jody Lawrence's spunky young heroine

When I originally encountered this film on TV aged about ten when I took it all very seriously, only later realising George Tobias's constant refrain "My father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters" was actually a running gag.

When in the brig on charges, Foreign Legion Sgt Mike Kincaid learns from a Riff prisoner of an impending attack on the outpost of Tarfa. In exchange for freedom, Kincaid and his men offer to run a series of distracting missions across the territory to keep the enemy busy until help can arrive. When he also learns that the leader of the Riffs, Caid Hussein, plans to marry Mahla, a girl from another tribe, in order to combine the two tribes against the French, Kincaid kidnaps her and flees into the desert – sparking anger and a chase from Hussein and a growing love for Kincaid in Mahla.

Featuring the chest and jaw of Burt Lancaster, this is just one of many foreign legion films that were so popular at one time in Hollywood. The plot is fairly enjoyable despite not having any great development or depth to it; it provides movement and direction sufficient to keep the audience watching without ever requiring much of them and for this reason it works. Of course this is not to say it does anything special, because it doesn't but it does do what you would expect from a foreign legion picture of the period – sand storms, heroic sacrifice, bare chested heroes, torture, attacks on forts and so on. Sadly with this territory comes the usual problems – standard acting, poor characters, obvious plotting, clunky romances and a lack of real audience engagement; for me these did limit the effectiveness of the film and just made it blend with an average crowd.

The acting is roundly average to match the material. Lancaster is sturdy and heroic with a good charisma and presence; hardly an interesting performance but appropriate for the genre I think. Support is not so good. Naturally Lawrence and Mohr are white actors in ethnic roles but the problem is that they don't perform that well on any level – Lawrence is unconvincing and Mohr is only acceptable as the bad guy. The rest of the cast provide some comic relief and generally give the film a rambling feel.

Overall this is a standard genre film, nothing more nor nothing less. Those who like the matinée feel of the foreign legion film will enjoy it as such but just don't expect it to do anything above and beyond the call of duty as the characters, plot, action and delivery are all fairly average and prevent the film from standing out from the crowd.

This is a great movie for just watching and enjoying. No overwhelming drama, no thought to guess the plot or who-done-it, just good old fashioned entertainment. Burt Lancaster shines in a way only he can. The jokes are funny, lines memorable (mamasita, what a rap she gave me... Khassein is a lump of evil smelling goat cheese) the girls are pretty and it rolls along as you "listen to the squeaking of the little mouse". Just enjoy yourself, if you miss a few minutes in the kitchen it won't throw you off the plot. It's great to see REAL actors displaying their craft in a time period when talent was more important than looks, bra size and CGI. If you want drama, go find Wuthering Heights and get your fill.

More known for writing credits that include the likes of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Sergeant Rutledge, Willis Goldbeck here instead jumps into the directors chair for this fun Burt Lancaster led desert adventure piece. Also starring Jody Lawrance, Gerald Mohr and John Dehner, the film finds a cast rightly not taking things too seriously. The plot sees Sergeant Mike Kincaid (Lancaster all teeth and pectorals) lead nine Legionnaires on a deadly mission to delay a Riff attack on a desert fort. Whilst on the trek Kincaid learns that the Riff leader Khalid Hussein (Mohr) is planning to marry Mahla (Lawrance) so as to unite two once opposing tribes. So, to prevent the marriage, Kincaid kidnaps Mahla and the troubles for the Legionnaires are about to get much much worse.

It's easy to dismiss the all round acting as being rather poor, but with the material and the obvious tone the makers were going for, it all sits rather well. None more so than with the square jawed Lancaster, an Oscar winning actor whose comic timing wasn't always put to the best use. Here, however, it is. For sure much of the film is iffy technically, but in glorious Technicolor and with smiles and moustaches aplenty, the film winds up being the undemanding light entertainment piece it set out to be. Think Carry On Follow That Camel meets The Crimson Pirate and we are about there I think. 5.5/10

Somewhere in the 1950's Hollywood discovered a simple formula for superior entertainment. Around that formula, any major star worth his salt could inspire a group of characters to create a magical memory. Thus this movie called " Ten Tall men " became a hit. Burt Lancaster, plays Sgt. Mike Kincaid, a French Foreign Legionnaire, who, while in a military stockade, learns of an impending attack on the city proper while the main garrison is away. Volunteering for what some consider a suicide mission, he and nine other prisoners ride into the desert to impede the attack for five days. During that time, the small group creates havoc among the gathering tribes to get their attention. Further they kidnap Mahla (Jody Lawrance) a tribal princess, which prevents the evil Khalif Hussein (Gerald Mohr) from caring out his attack. The entire film is fun to watch as great actors like Gilbert Roland, Kieron Moore, George Tobias, John Dehner and Mike Mazurki establish a wonderful and fun filled afternoon of creative enjoyment. A solid family offering for all ages. Easilly recommended. ****